I'm a woman
who's been carrying for a couple of years now and tried ALMOST everything out
there. I'm always open to new modes of things but here is what I've found works
best for me and why....
Gun choices? Why?
My primary firearm of choice is my Wilson Combat Professional.. a 4" all steel
1911.

The evolution to why I chose this guns goes back to the early days of handgun
handling with me before I could even carry. My husband wanted me to consider
getting my permit. I promised him I would consider it but ONLY if I could a)
choose my own gun, b) have professional training NOT by him, c) practice often,
and d) get continued training.

He agreed and after almost a year of shooting, comparing, thinking, reasoning, I
chose a small-frame 1911. Over time it evolved to a larger gun.

Now, I'll be the first to admit that most women don't choose heavy, large guns
to carry. I am a bit unusual in that respect. And in many ways I'm still just as
female as the rest. I have not EXCLUSIVELY carried the Wilson.

I still do carry my 3" Kimber 1911 as well as a Colt Mustang in .380 or a S&W
.357 j-frame revolver.

I have, in the past, carried full-size 1911s, the S&W M&P9c and Bersa Thunder
.380. I've found the full size 1911s to be to long to draw quickly and the M&P9c
was still a little too thick for my favorite mode of carry.

The Bersa was Very comfortable to carry, however.

No matter how I cut it I always come back to either the Kimber Ultra or the
Wilson Professional. They are just the guns I love.

But now that I've raved about what I love, let's talk about
your wife.

If it's going to be her gun she needs to pick it.

Remind her that no matter what she wants, whether it be a full-size 1911 or a
Kel Tec P3AT she can stick in her pocket it doesn't mean it's too big for her or
that she can't handle it. It just means she's going to have to be 100% committed
to carrying it and carrying it well. If there is even the slightest chance she
might leave it home for any particular reason then maybe she needs a different
gun.

Remember, the little gun you take with you is better than the big gun you leave
at home.

I am fortunate to have so many different firearms to choose from as we have a
pretty good selection in our safe. However, if I was told I needed to choose
only one gun to carry from our stash I'd have to say I'd choose one of the Colt
.380s or the Kimber Ultra CDP. I would know I'd need a smaller framed gun that
would fit into some of those outfits that my big 1911 wouldn't.

Fortunately, I don't have to make that choice.

Spare Mags? Speedloaders, etc.

If I'm carrying on body it means I'm USUALLY wearing a belt. If I'm wearing a
belt I have a spare magazine with me.

If I have my j-frame I usually am not carrying a speedloader.

To be honest. My first priority is to carry, PERIOD. I try to get a spare on me
but I don't obsess about it.

Tac Light?
I use a personal priority system. I'm a small person (5'3" 105 lbs (when not
pregnant)) and I only have limited space in my pockets and on my belt. I need to
prioritize what I carry on me.

If I feel it could be vital to my immediate survival it goes on my body.. First
is gun, then knife, than spare magazine. There is always a spare knife in my
pocket as well.

Usually, that takes up all the space on my belt so flashlight and pepper spray
go in my purse, or if I'm wearing a sweater or coat with generous pocket the
pepper spray and light will go there. But my priorities are first to immediate,
worse case scenario survival items. I think of those as gun and knife.

All of the above are pretty much in one big category and I'll do my best.

MANY women find the belly band to be preferable. I don't. I've tried one, didn't
like it. Perhaps one day I'll try again.

Finding the perfect place to carry, for a woman, is a challenge as our wardrobe
changes considerably more than a man's does.

MOST of the time I carry either IWB or OWB at around 4:00 in a good quality belt
holster.

If my outfit does not accommodate a belt I can wear my shoulder holster or purse
carry (which I'm not horribly fond of) or, if the firearm is light enough, I can
get away with a small IWB "clip" holster that will be held up by the garments
alone.

I have both Kydex and Leather holsters. I find leather to be VERY comfortable as
it gives a little more and more easily wraps around my body for a comfortable
fit. However, I do love my Kydex holsters as well. They both have their
benefits.

I don't do retention holsters other than my shoulder holster. The reason is
pretty simple as it's already concealed, I have the element of surprise, I
already need to get under my clothing to get to my gun I don't need to waste
more time undoing a retention device.

I hate fanny packs, but some people love them. It does have the benefit of
keeping the firearm on body so if that's the way she wants to go I am 100% for
it! I just can't stand them personally.

If she does purse carry I would CERTAINLY advise carrying in a purse that has a
designated compartment for her firearm and for her firearm ONLY!!!!!!!!! For
one, when you are going for your gun you don't want to be searching for it among
the other junk in a woman's purse. For two, you NEVER, EVER, EVER want to risk
the chance of items getting inside the trigger guard of your firearm, even if it
has 1000 safeties on it NOTHING should touch the trigger of your firearm unless
it's your finger when your sights are on the target and you are prepared to
shoot. Any holster device put in the purse to hold the gun specifically should
be SECURED in the purse so that it does not just come out with the firearm
if/when she draws it from the purse.

Also, I would advise carrying in a purse with a good shoulder strap that she can
sling across body if she needs too. Far too many women who purse carry, when
exasperated by a swinging purse, will set their purse in a shopping cart, or let
it swing by their hand, etc. This is a NO-NO as a purse with a firearm is
something not to be taken lightly.

It should NEVER be left unattended in ANY way. If shopping, it should be
carried, or slung across the body. If sitting in a restaurant it should still be
held to by some manner. I, personally, wrap the strap around my leg or hang the
purse off my knee so that I can feel if it is being tugged on.

Ankle/thigh carry is last-ditch-effort kind of thing. It is very difficult to
get to guns that are ankle/thigh carried, it makes you walk funny and it is VERY
uncomfortable for any length of time.

Not to mention that ankle carry is extremely difficult in your average female
clothing as it tends to be a bit more "clingy."

Also, my theory is, if you have to draw you have to move. You can't be moving
and drawing a firearm from your leg at the same time. I know, I've tried.
However, YOU CAN draw from anything at or above the waistline and still move
pretty well.

Shoulder holsters are comfortable, but obviously they require a sweater or cover
garment of some means. I love mine and use it a lot, especially for moments when
I'm going to be sitting for an extended period of time.

All in all, I try to keep an open mind to means of carry and anything that will
allow me to keep my firearm SECURELY with me (whatever firearm that might be).